Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Wind Power on the Waterfront

The Industrial Heritage Trail

By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 10, 2016

1. Wind Power on the Waterfront Marker

Inscription. In June 2007, eight wind turbines began operation along the shores of Lake Erie, capturing the constant breezes and generating enough clean energy to power 6,000 homes.

The "Steel Winds" project is unique for several reasons, most notably its location. While many existing wind farms are located on private farms, the Lackawanna wind farm is located directly on the Lake Erie shoreline, and is the first in the state to be located on an abandoned brownfield site. The 29 acre site was formerly part of Bethlehem Steel, and was contaminated with steel slag and industrial waste. A grant from the EPA helped the City of Lackawanna determine the extent of contamination. Existing transmission lines and roads made the site a prime location for the production of renewable energy. Wind turbines were ideal because much of the construction could occur without excavating the contaminated soil.

The eight wind turbines are among the largest wind turbines ever assembled in the country, and the first of their kind on the Great Lakes shoreline. The project had a "slag breaking" ceremony on September 15, 2006. The first of eight 400-foot turbines was put into place in December, 2006. Each turbine cost $4.25 million

By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 10, 2016

2. Westward

Towards Lake Erie. Union Ship Canal at right & behind.

to build and can generate 2.5 megawatts of electricity.

The eight Clipper Liberty wind turbines (built in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) have the ability to generate over 50 million kilowatt hours of electric energy each tear without the pollution associated with traditional energy sources. The power generated is sold into the NYS Idependent System Operator grid for distribution to retail customers. Additional turbines are planned for the future. [caption] Wind turbines along the Lackawanna waterfront.

Wind power is an important part of the United States energy future. Wind power does not emit greenhouse gases or other damaging pollutants into our atmosphere. Turbine Height Comparison. Buffalo Lighthouse - 60 feet. City Hall - 398 feet. Steel Winds Turbine - 400 feet. HSBC [renamed Seneca] Tower - 538 feet.

Location. 42° 50.022′ N, 78° 51.268′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. Marker is at the intersection of Fuhrmann Boulevard and North Gates Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Fuhrmann Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buffalo NY 14218, United States of America.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 17, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.